Sunday, June 19, 2011

Healthy Dog Treat Recipe


Sweet Puptato Chews

Ingredients:

1 raw sweet potato or 1 yam

Cooking Directions:

Total Time: 3 1/4 hrs

1
. Preheat oven to 250°F.

2
. Wash the sweet potato or yam (dark orange type).

3
. Cut the sweet potato down the middle lengthwise.

4
. Then cut long lengthwise slices about 1/3 of an inch wide and place them (not touching) on a cookie sheet in a single layer.

5
. Bake in the oven at 250 F for about 3 hours.

6. This leaves the treats chewy. If your dog prefers a crunchy texture you can bake them 15 to 30 minutes longer.


Bone Appetit!

For more ideas on how to keep your dog healthy, visit Pet Remedy Charts for a complete holistic home health care system using natural remedies and home cures, herbs, homeopathy, flower remedies and acupressure treatments in dog health care.
 

Monday, June 13, 2011

Home treatment for - dog vomits water - vomiting dog - dog vomiting.

 
Home Treatments for Vomiting Water 


Herbal Remedies

Wild Bergamot. This is a Western herb which is pungent, bitter, sweet and can be used either to warm or cool the digestive system. It is excellent for stomach disorders of any kind and regulates the stomach's energy or qi.

Dose: 
In tincture form, dilute 5 to 10 drops in 1 ounce of distilled water.

Cats/small dogs: 1 dropper full, twice daily.
Medium dogs: 2 dropper fulls, twice daily.
Large dogs: 3 dropper fulls, twice daily.

Chamomile. This Western herb regulates and calms the stomach energy. Its drying potential is useful here. Indigestion and inflammation such as gastritis are often eased with Chamomile. As a carminative with relaxing properties it will ease flatulence and stomach pain.

Dose: 
In tincture form, dilute 5 to 10 drops in 1 ounce of distilled water.

Cats/small dogs: 1 dropper full, twice daily.
Medium dogs: 2 dropper fulls, twice daily.
Large dogs: 3 dropper fulls, twice daily.

Fennel. The root of this herb is warming, drying and pungent. It regulates and warms the spleen.

Dose:
In tincture form, dilute 5 to 10 drops in 1 ounce distilled water.

Cats/small dogs: 1 dropper full, twice daily.
Medium dogs: 2 droppers full, twice daily.
Large dogs: 3 dropper fulls, twice daily.

Nutritional Therapy

Avoid foods that create dampness in the system such as, tofu, millet, dairy products, raw vegetables and cooling foods such as wheat and avocado. Warming foods such as chicken, lamb, venison and lean beef are good for this condition, as are white rice and oats. Cooked carrots and squash are excellent vegetables for warming the spleen, as is ginger. 

Pet Remedy Charts

We recommend using Pet Remedy Charts. A step-by-step holistic home health care system, which offers natural solutions for treating and healing your dog, cat, horse or bird at home. Pet Remedy Charts enable you to confidently and easily use homeopathy, herbal medicine, flower remedies and acupressure, in alternative healing.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

How to Make Ginger Tea for Nausea, Vomiting and Motion Sickness

Home Remedies - Treatments for Dogs and Cats

Recipe for Ginger Tea

The goal of this treatment is to calm and strengthen the stomach.

Herbal Treatment:
Make ginger tea by steeping 2 thin slices of fresh ginger root in 1 cup boiled water, cover and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Cool completely, remove and discard ginger slices and give to your dog or cat one half hour before traveling.

Dosage:
Cats/small dogs: 1 to 2 dropper fulls.
Medium/large dogs: 1/3 cup.

For a complete guide to natural treatments and home cures for dogs and cats we recommend Pet Remedy Charts.

Dog Incontinence - Home Remedies for Urinary Incontinence - Dribbling - Bladder Problems


As animals age or if they were spayed or neutered at an inappropriate age, they may begin to lose bladder control - urinary incontinence. You may find wet places in the bed, on the carpet, or on the couch, or they may "dribble" while walking. Sometimes you may only see them licking themselves in attempt to get rid of the escaping urine or to hide the scent.

Often a lack of estrogen or testosterone is causing the problem. Synthetic estrogen may help, but they also have the potential to weaken the immune system.

Diet and Nutritional Supplements for Dog Incontinence

Foods that strengthen the kidneys or bladder, as well as the muscles in general, such as oats, chicken, and lamb kidney, may be added to the dogs diet. Adding 1/2 teaspoon of chopped fresh kale and parsley to the dog's food will help strengthen the kidneys too.

Herbal Remedies for Canine Incontinence

Schizandra fruit is known as the "five-flavor seed" in Chinese medicine and acts as an "astringent" to hold the urine where it belongs and help curtail leaking. It is available in many health food stores and Chinese pharmacies. Use 5 drops of the tincture dissolved in 1/2 ounce of water, giving 1/2 to 2 teaspoons twice daily depending on the size of your dog.


Mullein leaf, using 1/2 teaspoon to 1 cup of boiled water, cover and steep for 20 minutes, helps to tone bladder muscles, especially if a low-grade infection is suspected. Give 2 tablespoons of the diluted mix after the evening meal and before the last walk of the day.


For a treatment guide to home remedies and natural cures for dogs visit Pet Remedy Charts and learn Herbs, Acupressure, Flower Remedies and Homeopathy in dog health.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Homeopathic Remedies for - Vaccination

Homeopathic Remedies for
Dogs and Cats

Homeopathic alternatives to conventional vaccines are beginning to gain acceptance. Studies indicate both their efficacy and safety. In addition, we are realizing the hazards that come along with live and modified-live vaccine drugs. Holistic veterinarians are struggling to begin the conversion process.

Please use the following format as an example of one protocol. Over time it will continue to evolve. The AHVMA will hopefully shepherd this process.

If you continue to utilize conventional vaccines (at this time we all must for Rabies), I would suggest that you follow the new standard for puppies and kittens (low repetition) followed by vaccines for Rabies every 3 years and for Distemper every 5-7 years for adult animals (to avoid unnessary innoculations, you could have a blood titer done to check the pets immunity). Avoid other vaccines such as Leukemia unless local situations dictate otherwise. Avoid multivalent vaccines (a vaccine prepared from several antigenic types within a species. Also called polyvalent vaccine) and never give vaccines to animals who are ill or under stress or that have recently undergone surgery. Never give more than one vaccine per veterinary visit, it is much safer to make a few extra trips to your vet.

To be on the safe side, it is worthwhile to antidote the possibility of vaccinosis (allergic reactions) with conventional vaccines by one or two doses of (homeopathic) Thuja 30c. Give 1 or 2 pillules dry before the shots are administered then dose again, after the shots are given.

Rabies shots can be antidoted specifically with the Rabies nosode, Lysene 30c. Give 1 or 2 pellets after the shot has been given.

Homeopathic Vaccines for Dogs and Cats

Dogs
Distemper
Hepatitis
Leptospirosis
Parvo-virus

Cats
Panleukopenia
Feline Leukemia
FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis

1. It is best to give one homeopathic, vaccine at a time. Avoid using homeopathic combination nosodes.
2. Dose - dissolve 2 or 3 pellets in 1/4 oz of bottled water. Give 1 dropper-full (1/4 tesp.) per cat or small to medium size dog. 2 droppers full (1/2 teaspoon) to large dogs.
3. Schedule: Remember threes.
a. Give 1 dose, 6c twice a day for 3 weeks, OR
b. Give 1 dose 30c, once a week for 3 weeks, OR
c. Give 1 dose 200c once a month for 3 months, OR
d. Give a booster dose of 1M once every 6 months, you may reduce to once yearly or cease as the animal ages.

To learn more about holistic pet health and natural healing for dogs and cats, be sure to visit Pet Remedy Charts the ultimate guide to home remedies, using herbs, homeopathy, flower remedies and acupressure in home treatments for pets.

Recommended Reading: For professionals or serious students - This is the gold standard in books for Veterinary Homeopathy. 'Fast Forward to the Cure Pro-Version, 2.0', is a digital publication in PDF format that you can download and start using now. Learn advanced veterinary homeopathy, LM dosing techniques and the methods of 'Dynamic Dosing' for animals which can speed a pets healing time by 1/4 to 1/2 or more! Veterinary Medica, Therapeutic Repertories, printable Case Taking Forms, Observation Sheets and full color Anatomy Charts for dogs, cats horses and birds are included in 14 Chapters and 872 pages. To see complete details and excerpts from the book CLICK HERE.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

How to Make Parsley Tea for Dogs and Cats


Parsley is soothing to the kidneys and is used in ailments of the lower urinary tract such as cystitis, it also can be used to help prevent renal (kidney) gravel or stones from forming in dogs and cats. It is a rich source of anti-oxidant nutrients and vitamin C.  It also contains vitamin A from beta-carotene which is beneficial to dogs.

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon of fresh parsley
1 Cup of boiling distilled or purified bottled water

Instructions:

Coarsely chop the parsley into a cup, then pour in the boiling water. Cover the cup and allow it to steep until it reaches room temperature. Strain off the liquid.

Store unused portion in the refrigerator. Parsley tea should be made fresh daily.

Suggested dosage: 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons, more or less, depending on the size of the dog or cat, 3 times daily, used at short intervals (2 weeks on 2 weeks off).

Additionally, one to two tablespoons of fresh, finely minced parsley can also be mixed into the pets food daily.

Veterinary Uses of Parsley:

Parsley is a diuretic herb that helps to relax spasms and reduce inflammation. It cleanses the blood and helps clear toxins from the body, it also aids in stimulating digestion. It can be used for indigestion, colic and anorexia (poor appetite), cystitis and prostate problems. Due to its folic acid content which plays a big roll in blood vessel and heart health, some claim it inhibits tumor-cell growth, especially in the lungs.

"After" giving birth, it is useful in promoting lactation and contracting the uterus (especially when using the roots and seeds).

Externally, the leaves can help to relieve itchy skin, and bruising.

Contraindications: Herbal products containing concentrated forms of parsley 'especially the seeds and oil' should not be used during pregnancy (may cause contractions) or excessively in animals with kidney disease.

The use of citrus fruits, also mango and some vegetables (celery, parsley) that contain limonene are not recommended for feeding to pet 'male' rats. In the male rat, studies using limonene caused tumors and damage to the kidneys, but a specific protein unique to the male rat is thought to play a crucial role in this damage. Kidney damage is not considered a relevant risk for humans or other mammals.

Tip on how to keep parsley fresh longer: When you bring it home from the grocery store, snip off the ends of the stems. Rinse well and stand in a short glass, with enough water to cover the ends. Rinse the parsley and change the water in the glass daily. It's not only pretty on counter it will stay fresh and hold its medicinal properties for up to two weeks.

For a complete, step-by-step guide to confidently using natural remedies to treat your pets at home, we recommend using Pet Remedy Charts, Herbs, Homeopathy, Flower Remedies and Acupressure to the Rescue for dogs, cats, horses or birds. Using 'safe, side effect free', natural medicines you can treat almost any acute symptom of any disease! The charts are easy to use, simple to understand, economical and endorsed by holistic veterinarians.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipe

HAWAIIAN TWIST
A canine combination of chicken, cottage cheese and sweet potato, along with added pineapple and mango. A twist of tropical flavors that will make your dog sit up and hula-la!

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 Cup of lowfat cottage cheese,
1 Large, skinless chicken breast
1 Cup sweet potato, baked in skin, peeled and mashed
5 Tablespoons pineapple, fresh or canned, diced and mashed
5 Tablespoons mango, raw, pealed, diced and mashed.

SUPPLEMENT(S):
Essential Fatty Acids — Toy breeds and small dogs 500 mg, Medium and Large dogs 1000 mg (in capsule form) of fish oil daily, (Carlson's fish oil capsules come from a very reputable source, who tests regularly for ocean contaminates).


Vitamins
Add a vitamin and mineral supplement formulated for dogs. Dose according to label directions. Mix well into food right before serving. Pet Tabs or Canine Basic Nutrients made by Thorne Veterinary, are both reputable products.

Calcium
Calcium Citramate - Calcium Malate together has demonstrated superb solubility and superior absorption when compared to other calcium salts. It has approximately six times the solubility of either calcium citrate or calcium malate individually.

A reasonably optimal canine diet should contain a calcium to phosphorus ration of roughly 2 parts calcium to one part phosphorus. Meats are very high in phosphorus and very low in calcium. Since many home cooking recipes recommend fairly high amounts of meat (in general, a good idea for carnivores), there is no reason to supplement phosphorus. Many dog food recipes floating around the internet recommend using bone meal (may contain lead), which fails to take in to account the high phosphorus in the diet. The result is excess phosphorus in comparison to calcium. The solution is to simply feed a calcium supplement to compensate.

Example dog dose for a human product containing 150 to 160 mg of Calcium Citramate: 1/4 capsule for every 15 pounds of body weight, mixed into food twice daily.

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Unseasoned, grill or roast the chicken and chop it into small pieces. Bake the sweet potato (wrapped in foil) in the oven at 350° until its real soft. Once the sweet potato is cooked, let it cool, mash it and add it to the chicken. Add cottage cheese and mix well. Measure the pineapple, and mango, mash the fruit and mix it in with the other ingredients. Stir in the Essential Fatty Acid, vitamin and mineral and calcium supplement. Recipe yields: approximately 4 cups of food.


How Much To Feed:

Example: If your dog eats 2 cups a day of commercial dog food you would feed the same amount (2 cups) of this recipe, to meet his daily requirements. The same principle applies to a dog who eats 1/2 cup or 1 cup of commercial food daily, they also would receive an equal amount of the homemade diet as what they are used to eating.


Batch Cooking:
Large batches of food can be made by multiplying the recipe's ingredients.


Storage:

Prepared food can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 weeks. Supplement(s) should be added freshly to the food, right before it is fed. Thawing and heating vitamins will degrade them. You can thaw or heat your pets food in a hot water bath. Never use a microwave to cook or reheat you dogs food. Microwave heating changes the molecular structure of the nutrients and proteins in our food.

Rotating the Diet:
Varying wholesome ingredients from day to day lessens the chance of developing food allergies, boredom and exposes the dog to a healthier range of nutrient sources.

For more ideas on keeping your pet healthy visit our website - Pet Remedy Charts.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Homeopathy in Veterinary Dentistry


Natural Treatments for Dental Abscesses in Pets

In homeopathic treatment of dental abscesses where the animal presents significant facial swelling, the remedy Myristica 30c should be given immediately, followed by a further dose after about 30 minutes, and a subsequent dose one hour later. This will generally reduce the swelling and discomfort, and an incision may be avoided.

Thereafter, Hepar sulph. 6c should be given three times daily, until such time as the tooth may be extracted. Hepar sulph., given in the potency of 6c is the most successful treatment for the subacute and chronic dental abscess. Higher potencies, such as 30c, should NOT be given, since they tend to discourage proper drainage (the retention of pus prolongs the pain or discomfort, and may produce systemic disturbances). Although it is not advisable but sometimes unavoidable such a prescription may indeed be pursued for many months. Where facial swelling is not a dominate feature, Hepar sulph. 6c, may be given from the onset of treatment.

Occasionally, however, other remedies will be required in some animal cases. Belladonna 30c to 200c every hour or two should be considered if the dog, cat or horse is emitting heat from the head, and shows signs of severe throbbing pain.

Consider using Mercurius solubilis 30c three times daily, for cases with gross halitosis and excessive salivation and drooling.

Where the animal is feverish, give Pyrogen 30c three times daily, for a few days, in addition to, any of the selected remedies mentioned above. When alternating remedies, such as Belladonna and Pyrogen give the remedies separately and dose them at least 1 hour apart.

For complete dosing instructions and a step-by-step guide to confidently using veterinary homeopathy to treat your pets at home, we recommend using Pet Remedy Charts, Homeopathy to the Rescue for dogs, cats, horses or birds. Using 'safe, side effect free', homeopathic medicines you can treat almost any acute symptom of any disease! The chart is easy to use, simple to understand, economical and recommended by holistic veterinarians. It is the same chart that is applied in colleges of natural healing as part of their veterinary teaching curriculum.

Recommended Reading: For professionals or serious students - This is the gold standard in books for Veterinary Homeopathy. 'Fast Forward to the Cure Pro-Version, 2.0', is a digital publication in PDF format that you can download and start using now. Learn advanced veterinary homeopathy, LM dosing techniques and the methods of 'Dynamic Dosing' for animals which can speed a pets healing time by 1/4 to 1/2 or more! Veterinary Medica, Therapeutic Repertories, printable Case Taking Forms, Observation Sheets and full color Anatomy Charts for dogs, cats horses and birds are included in 14 Chapters and 872 pages. To see complete details and excerpts from the book CLICK HERE.



Friday, January 7, 2011

Laminitis in Horses

Holistic Treatments for Laminitis in Horses

Equine Laminitis, also called founder, is characterized by a decrease in the amount of blood circulating in the hoof. It is a serious and extremely painful condition with multiple causes.

The horse's hoof is somewhat similar to the structure of your fingernail, but the interior of the horse's hoof is lined with two layers of tissue called laminae. The hardest layer closest to the wall of the hoof is called the 'horny laminae', and the inner layer is called the 'sensitive laminae'. When the blood supply to the sensitive laminae is decreased, they become inflamed. The inflammation causes the union between the horny and sensitive laminae to break down. In severe cases, the bone inside the hoof, called the coffin bone or third phalanx, rotates downward. In advanced cases, the coffin bone may even perforate the sole.

Laminitis is especially common in ponies, although horses of all breeds can be and are affected.  The disease can be mild or life-threatening, a one-time deal or an ongoing problem.

A little equine anatomy and the workings of the hoof, will shed a little more light on the complex topic. Horses don't just stand on their feet, what they really do is hang suspended from the inside of their hooves!  The coffin bone, which is the bone at the end of the leg, doesn't have to bear much of the horses weight on it's bottom surface. This is because it is actually suspended inside the hoof by tough tissue called the laminae. The laminae hold the coffin bone inside of the hoof, so most of the horse's weight passes down the hoof wall to the ground, for the most part, detouring the sole.  The image shows the broad, rough top surface of the coffin bone.  The laminae attach to that rough surface and mesh with the corresponding inside surface of the hoof.

Causes of Laminitis in Horses

Laminitis may involve one or all four feet. Commonly known causes include eating excessive amounts of grain, eating too lush pasture grass, drinking cold water while overheated, and being overworked when not in fit condition. Hooves being trimmed to excessively can attribute to the condition. Corticosteroids and certain antibiotics can also induce laminitis.

Symptoms of Acute Laminitis

• Refusal to move, standing with the front legs stretched forward.
• Hooves are hot.
• Increased digital pulse.
• Occasionally, a separation of hoof and coronary band.

Natural Treatments for Laminitis
Call your vet immediately and remove any feed, and access to grass. Do not remove existing hay - keep it available to prevent added stress on the horse.

Stabling
Make sure the horse is on a soft surface. Use peat for bedding to help prevent pressure ulcers on the hips, provide a firm footing for getting up, and good support for standing. Coarse sand may be used if peat is not available.

HydrotherapyWhile waiting for the vet to arrive, cold hose the affected legs at ten-minute intervals for 30 minutes each time.

Cold Treatment
If legs and feet are extremely hot, apply ice over the area until the vet arrives.

Magnet Therapy
Apply magnets to cannon bone area and hoof after the other treatments have all been done.

Acupressure for Acute Equine Laminitis


Apply treatment to points, TH3, TH1, TH5, SI1, LI1, GV14, LU11, and HT9 (To preform the treatment and locate the points, use Pet Remedy Charts, Acupressure to the Rescue for Horses.



Homeopathic Remedies for Acute Laminitis

Aconitum napellus 30c. This remedy should be given at the earliest onset of laminitis when it is first noticed. It can be alternated with Belladonna in acute cases of laminitis.

Belladonna 30c every 30 minutes. Works well when pulse is increased, temperature is elevated, and the horse is sweating. (May be alternated with Aconitum in cases of acute laminitis.)

Nux vomica 30c every few hours. Good in cases of decreased circulation.

For an easy to use, complete guide to remedy, dose and potency in treating horses with homeopathy use Pet Remedy Charts, Homeopathy to the Rescue for Horses.

Chronic Laminitis

Once laminitis has occured and the emergency care completed, follow-up care begins. Each case must be assessed on an individual basis so a care plan can be initiated. X-rays should be taken to determine the position of the coffin bone and your vet and farrier will decide how to reshape the hoof. Generally the toe of the hoof will be rasped back and the heel lowered to achieve realignment. Heel-lowering must be carried out gradually, possibly over several shoeings, to guard against a sudden increase in tension on the deep digital flexor tendon which could cause further rotation of the coffin bone. Use of pads, bar shoes, or wide-web shoes must be decided on a case-by-case basis, according to X-rays, to decide which will make the horse more comfortable.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
Holistic treatments for laminitis in horses are very effective in treating chronic conditions, though since every case is different there is no specific treatment that will work for all horses.

What are the Chronic Symptoms of Laminitis

Look for these signs to occur after an acute case, and on and off throughout the horse's life after a case of laminitis:
• Lameness that is worse on hard ground.
• Horse landing on the heel of an affected hoof.
• Hoof wall grows differently, with a longer toe, higher heel, and concave front of the hoof wall.
• Rings on the hoof wall appear and the space between the rings is wider near the heel (unlike rings on the hoof wall due to other stress.
• The sole of the hoof may be dropped and very flaky in consistency.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Test - Have your vet Xray the foot.
Shoeing - Consult your farrier as to the best way to reshape and shoe the hoof. Foundered horses often have rapid hoof growth so have your farrier visit as often as every four weeks.

Natural Supplements for Laminitis

• Vitamin C. Give 8 grams per 1,000-pound horse, daily.
• Coenzyme Q-10. This antioxidant is very effective but dosage varies greatly according to symptoms. Consult a holistic vet for dosage best suited to your horse's needs.

Herbs for Equine Laminitis

 All herbs listed below can be helpful and a mixture of them all of them will give increased results:
• Clivers. Use to promote lymphatic drainage. Effectively prevents a recurrence. Give 1/2 to 3/4 ounce (15 to 20 grams) twice daily. You can make a compress of clivers tea to help sooth swollen legs.
• Cat's claw. Helps to keep inflammation reduced and promotes circulation. Use 1/4 oz (5 to 10 grams). Caution: Do not give to nursing mares.
• Comfrey. Helps with circulation, and promotes bone and soft tissue healing. Give 1 oz (30 grams) of the dried herb twice daily.
• Nettle. Stimulates circulation. It also contains vitamin C that has antioxidant properties. Feed 1/2 to 1 oz (15 to 30 grams) a day.
• Devil's claw. Has anti-inflammatory properties. Feed 1/2 to 1 oz (15 to 30 grams) daily.

Note: The best place we have found to buy guaranteed, high quality, certified organic medicinal herbs in bulk quantity, is Pacific Botanicals. For precise instructions on dosing schedules and amounts to give use Herbs to the Rescue for Horses, from Pet Remedy Charts.

Homeopathy for Chronic Laminitis

Chronic laminitis requires a professional consultation and homeopathic workup with a holistic vet. To aid in pain management you could try:
Arnica 30c 2 or 3 times a day for pain.
• Bellis 30c is a deep tissue remedy that could be used for pain if Arnica is not doing the job.
• Hypericum 30c is another good homeopathic pain medicine that is a specific for nerve pain in the feet.
• Symphytum 30c is used to strengthen and fuse bone, also to ease pain.

For specific dosing and potency instructions we recommend Pet Remedy Charts, Homeopathy to the Rescue for Horses, a professional reference guide to treating horses using Homeopathic medicines at home.

Magnetic Therapy

Use the small magnets that you glue onto the front of the hooves to help increase circulation. A magnet may also be applied over the cannon bone area to further stimulate circulation.


Acupressure for Chronic Laminitis

Front legs:
• LI1, LU11, PC9, TH1, SI1, HT9: these points around the coronary band promote circulation.
• TH3 aids with circulation, and helps detoxify the liver.
• Th5 Increases circulation.
• GV14, stimulate this point last to help move the circulation, and Qi.

Hind legs:
• ST45, SP1, KI1, BL67, KI1: these points around the coronary band promote circulation.
• GB44: increases circulation, and decreases fluid retention in the legs.
•Bai Hui: use this point last to help move the circulation and Qi throughout the hind legs.

For a guide to preforming acupressure on your horse and point locations we recommend using, Acupressure to the Rescue for Horses a wonderful quick reference guide to equine home health care.

Recommended Reading: For professionals or serious students - This is the gold standard in books for Veterinary Homeopathy. 'Fast Forward to the Cure Pro-Version, 2.0', is a digital publication in PDF format that you can download and start using now. Learn advanced veterinary homeopathy, LM dosing techniques and the methods of 'Dynamic Dosing' for animals which can speed a pets healing time by 1/4 to 1/2 or more! Veterinary Medica, Therapeutic Repertories, printable Case Taking Forms, Observation Sheets and full color Anatomy Charts for dogs, cats horses and birds are included in 14 Chapters and 872 pages. To see complete details and excerpts from the book CLICK HERE.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Kidney Diets for Older Cats


Homemade Diets and Recipes for Cats With Kidney Disease 

Never feed dry food to cats, only canned or home prepared. If you do feed a commercial pet food make sure it does not contain corn, wheat or soy. Never heat your cat's food in the microwave. Warm the pet's food in a hot water bath instead.

When cats get older their kidneys often begin to fail. Because the kidney's job is to eliminate anything unusable from the blood, the goal of this diet is to lighten their load. You can do that by providing minimal levels of protein, phosphorus and sodium in a maximally usable form so that there is a little waste as possible. By feeding a fresh diet, you can also eliminate the artificial preservatives, flavorings and colorings added to many pet foods. This recipe provides about 24% highly usable protein, with low sodium and phosphorus levels and generous levels of B complex and vitamin A.

RECIPE #1

Yield: About 6 cups; provides about 5-6 days food.

1 and 1/3 cups (2/3 lb. ground chicken, turkey or lean heart)
4 cups Well-cooked soft, basmati rice (add an additional 1/2 cup of water to the recipe and cook it longer, this will make it easier to digest).
4 eggs
2 tablespoons of a good cold-pressed oil, (can be alternated with unsalted butter)
1 teaspoon finely chopped parsley, finely grated carrot  (optional)
1/8 teaspoon iodized sea salt
1/8 teaspoon potassium chloride salt substitute
1,500 mg calcium
5,000 IU vitamin A
50 mg level vitamin B complex (the equivalent of about 10 mg/day)
2,500 mg vitamin C (1/2 teaspoon sodium ascorbate)
Cat vitamins with taurine (about 5 days worth)

Mix all ingredients together (except the vitamins/supplements) in a large bowl. Bake in a moderate oven for about 20 minutes. Allow to cool, then add the vitamins and mix well. (If you cat has a poor appetite you may have to experiment to some extent to cater to his/her preferences just to keep him nourished). Store in fridge. If you warm your cats food before you serve it DO NOT use the microwave to do it. Instead put the food in a small glass dish in a hot water bath to warm it. Microwaves change the molecular structure of protein. It will also ruin the vitamins.

Variation: Occasionally include a small amount of calf, beef or chicken liver in the recipe (1-3 teaspoons).

RECIPE #2

4 parts carbohydrate: Pureed barley flakes and /or baby food creamed corn
2 parts protein: Lightly broiled chicken or beef or raw organic egg yolk and cooked white (used with meat, not alone) you can also use baby food chicken
1 part vegetable: Chopped of finely grated raw vegetable or vegetable juice-carrots, zucchini, and alfalfa sprouts are best
2 Tablespoons of a powdered feline vitamin and mineral supplement
2 teaspoons soft butter

Blend above ingredients together and store in glass jar.

Each day mix the following into each meal:
A feline vitamin and mineral supplement (follow label instruction)
1/16 teaspoon ascorbic acid crystals or sodium ascorbate powder (250 units Vitamin C)
1/8 teaspoon Pet Tinic (a B vitamin and iron tonic available from the veterinarian) or 1/2 of a low-potency B complex capsule (10 mg level)
1/4 teaspoon or 1/2 tablet mixed digestive enzymes.
Once a week give:
400 units of vitamin E (alpha tocopherol);
A capsule containing 10,000 units vitamin A and 400 units vitamin D.


RECIPE #3

White meat chicken, chicken gizzard plus 2 hard-boiled eggs with a touch of clam juice or chicken broth: 20%
Kidney beans, mashed: 10%
Well-cooked white/basmati rice (I add an additional 1/2 cup of water or vegetable broth to the rice cooking instructions and cook it longer. It makes the rice much softer and easy to digest, polenta, barley: 60 %
Parsley, squash, asparagus, carrot kale: 10%


RECIPE #4

Feline Restricted Mineral and Sodium Diet

1 lb. Regular ground beef, cooked
1/4 lb. Liver (beef, chicken or pork only), cooked
1 cup cooked enriched white rice without salt
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 t (5 grams) calcium carbonate
1/8 teaspoon KCI (salt substitute)

Also add a balanced supplement which fulfills the feline MDR for all vitamins and trace minerals, and 250 mg taurine/day.

RECIPE #5

Chicken Mineral Broth

The recipe below is not a specific for renal disease but it is very nourishing and helpful to have on hand if your cat looses interest in food and doesn't want to eat. Nutritionally it can help replace minerals that have been lost if your cat is urinating excessively.

3 lbs. chicken thighs
Water to cover Distilled water is my preference
1/4 cup tomato juice (NOT, V8 Juice)
Add approximately 1 1/2 inch piece of Kombu, (this is a dried sea vegetable) for added minerals

Put all chicken into a soup pot large enough so the chicken fills the pot only halfway.  Cover with 'distilled' water until water is one to two inches above chicken.  Cover the pot loosely (tip the lid).  Bring to a low simmer.  Simmer three to five hours, occasionally breaking up the chicken and adding more water if necessary.  During the last hour remove the lid and let the water cool down until the chicken is barely covered.  Broth is now deliciously strong.  Pour off broth, cool to room temperature, and then store in refrigerator.

Pour this broth off and store it with the first batch of broth.  Transfer the bones into a smaller pot.  Crack them up so they form a fairly compact mass in the bottom of the pan.  Cover the bones with water ad add the one-fourth cup tomato juice.  Simmer one-half to one hour.

Pour off this broth, again combining it with the other broth.  Throw the bones away.  Store about two cups of the broth in a jar in the refrigerator;  store the rest in the freezer in pint-sized covered freezer containers to be thawed as needed.  To thaw, stand the container in a bowl of hot water.

PET REMEDY CHARTS TO THE RESCUE

To learn about holistic treatments and natural healing strategies for cats, be sure to visit Pet Remedy Charts the ultimate guide to using herbs, homeopathy, flower remedies and acupressure, in home pet health care.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Natural Treatments for Broken Bones in Animals


Healing Compound and Open Fractures

Fractures in very young animals will usually be less complicated than in older animals yet both can require the same remedies.

If the fracture is extensive enough or the traumatized animal is sensitive, the first remedy that should come to mind to alleviate shock, is Bach Rescue Remedy, in tincture form. Every  pet owner should have this remedy on hand, at home and in the car. 10 drops in water should be given immediately and repeated every 15 minutes if necessary. It can be safely administered with prescription drugs or any form of treatment, holistic or conventional, without interfering or causing side effects.

Veterinary Homeopathic Remedies For Healing Broken Bones

Next, a closed, "simple" fracture will require, Arnica montana to help alleviate bruising, pain and shock. Arnica, should be the first homeopathic remedy to be given. It is typically given for soreness and bruising, when the patient feels like "a truck hit me'. Pains are worse by the slightest touch (so the animal shows fear of being touched) and better from cold applications. Arnica is indicated in any blunt trauma where the skin is not opened. Arnica is especially useful to absorb blood under the skin (hematomas). It is also good for muscle pain, falls and accidents causing the animal to go into shock.   

After a few days, Ledum palustre will complete the work of  Arnica. Ledum acts like a combination of Arnica and Hypericum. It is invaluable in soft tissue bruising. In most cases it will completely relieve traumas after the initial use of Arnica. A keynote for this remedy is bruising that turns violet-blue-black. The pains relieved by Ledum are the type that improve by cold compresses.

Only after the bone is set, or ready to fuse in place, give Symphytum officinal. Symphytum, is the orthopedic specific of the homeopathic herb remedies. This remedy is of great use in non-union of fractures. It is the remedy that will accelerate healing of fractures. It can be so effective at knitting and calcifation that you should make sure the broken bone is aligned correctly (see your vet first).

When there are many fractures at the same time, after Rescue Remedy and Arnica, Silicea will be indicated to renew the "edifice sand", so to speak. Silicea will increase and re-balance the body's needed building materials and aid stamina in the healing process.

An open or "compound" fracture has to be attended surgically, of course, but after the surgery, Calendula 200c, dosed once a day for three days will help heal the wound. Calendula should be available in everyone's first aid kit. It should be routinely used after any surgery or when there is a cut or break in the skin. It acts as both an antiseptic (to prevent infection), and as a healing agent. It can also help control bleeding from open wounds. Just remember, Calendula is used on open wounds, never Arnica.

When there is injury to nerves, due to a surgical cutting procedures or broken bones, Hypericum can be used for pain and to help prevent infection. Afterward, the same remedies used for closed fractures will apply if needed. Homeopathic Hypericum is a great painkiller in any trauma which involves nerve endings: slipped discs in the lower back, also in the neck, crushed feet, toes and tails, also toenails torn away from the nail bed. Hypericum is for sharp, shooting nerve pains. In the past Hypericum was given successfully to avoid tetanus.

There is one unfortunate incident in which fractures are common or where the veterinarian will discover fractures in different stages of healing: the physically abused animal. In this case, after the fractures have been attended to, Staphysagria 6c will be needed to help the animal mentally resolve the indignation it had to endure.

In a case of fractured ribs, where the slightest movement of respiration will cause great pain, Bryonia will bring relief. Bryonia is a great pain remedy for whiplash and broken bones in general, especially if the animal is worse from the slightest movement.

In spite of using Symphytum, sometimes in older or malnourished animals, a broken bone will be difficult or slow to heal. In these cases, Calc. phos. will speed up the process. It favors the formation of callus, or the bony healing tissue that forms around the ends of broken bone.

Note: It is important to remember that only one remedy should be given at a time. Choose a remedy to begin treatment that matches the animal's most important symptoms. You can switch remedies if the symptoms change or if the remedy is not helping. You can also give the remedy in a higher potency if the remedy works well but it's action runs out too quickly. Just make sure to wait an hour before dosing with a new remedy.

For complete dosing instructions, suggested potency and additional treatment options, refer to Pet Remedy Charts. Homeopathy to the Rescue series for, dogs, cats, horses or birds.

Recommended Reading: For professionals or serious students - This is the gold standard in books for Veterinary Homeopathy. 'Fast Forward to the Cure Pro-Version, 2.0', is a digital publication in PDF format that you can download and start using now. Learn advanced veterinary homeopathy, LM dosing techniques and the methods of 'Dynamic Dosing' for animals which can speed a pets healing time by 1/4 to 1/2 or more! Veterinary Medica, Therapeutic Repertories, printable Case Taking Forms, Observation Sheets and full color Anatomy Charts for dogs, cats horses and birds are included in 14 Chapters and 872 pages. To see complete details and excerpts from the book CLICK HERE.